Sir Bernard was latterly a judge at Court of Appeal in Belfast from 2019 until his retirement earlier this year.

Educated at Queens University Belfast he was called to the Bar in 1979 becoming Queen’s Counsel in 1999.

Lady Chief Justice, Dame Siobhan Keegan paid tribute to Sir Bernard on his passing:

“It is with sadness that we note the passing of Sir Bernard McCloskey on 11 November 2026 at the age of 70. Sir Bernard, who took Silk in 1999, was appointed as a High Court Judge in 2008. He was elevated to the Court of Appeal in 2019 and retired from the Bench earlier this year. He was also a member of the Privy Council.

“Sir Bernard was a distinguished jurist who made an important contribution to the jurisprudence of this jurisdiction throughout his practice at the Bar and on the Bench. He ably assisted the judiciary through his role as chair of the Judicial Studies Board and the Sentencing Group and was involved in many other legal endeavours internationally and with local universities. He also gave his time generously to charitable pursuits and engaged with young lawyers. Sir Bernard was a dedicated public servant, and a valued colleague to many judges and practitioners. I would like to express my condolences, and that of the judiciary, to Sir Bernard’s wife, his children and the wider family circle”.